S. 2629, United States Public Health Service Modernization Act of 2019

Summary

S. 2629 would establish a reserve component of the U.S. Public Health Service (PHS). The reserve component would consist of health professionals who would be responsible for providing PHS with additional capacity during public health and national emergencies. The reservists would undergo routine training and be eligible for compensation and benefits (comparable to the benefits provided to individuals who serve in the selected reserve of the U.S. Armed Forces).

Based on information from the Department of Health and Human Services (HHS), CBO estimates that PHS would gradually hire 2,500 reservists by 2024. CBO expects that an average of 500 incoming PHS reservists would complete the initial officer base course each year, at a cost of $10,100 per officer. In addition, CBO estimates that about 1,700 PHS reservists would undergo routine training of at least 30 days each year, at an average cost of $18,200 per officer. As a result, CBO estimates training costs would total $133 million over the 2020-2025 period.

PHS reservists would receive basic pay and benefits (such as health care, housing allowance, special incentive pay and retirement) at a projected average cost of $22,000 per officer. As a result, CBO estimates basic pay and benefit costs would total $190 million over the 2020‑2025 period. On the basis of information from HHS, CBO estimates start-up, administrative and recruitment costs would total $37 million over the 2020-2025 period.